Students may be identified as gifted in one or more of the following areas: Superior Cognitive Ability, Reading, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Creative Thinking Ability, and the Visual and Performing Arts. Section 3324.03 of the Ohio Revised Code defines a child who is gifted as one who performs or shows potential for performing at remarkably high levels of accomplishment when compared to others of their age, experience or environment.
Students who do not meet state gifted criteria, but score within the district-set screening range are believed to have a potential for scoring at the state required identification level and therefore are eligible for a second opportunity to test for giftedness. After each whole-grade level screening opportunity for science, social studies, and cognitive abilities (currently 2nd and 5th grades), students scoring in this screening range have the opportunity to be further assessed for possible gifted identification.
GMLS students also participate in MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) assessments 3 times per year in which they may be identified as gifted in math or reading, according to the state criteria. Students scoring in the screening range on any administration of the assessment will automatically have multiple opportunities to score in the gifted range during all subsequent MAP administrations.
State of Ohio Gifted Identification Criteria
Superior cognitive ability
A child shall be identified as exhibiting "superior cognitive ability" if the child performs in the following ways:
- On nationally normed abilities test, (in GMLS, this is the In-View Abilities Test), must score a 128 or above or;
- Performed at or above the ninety-fifth percentile on an approved individual or group standardized basic or composite battery of a nationally normed achievement test or;
- Attained an approved score on one or more above grade-level standardized, nationally normed approved tests
* The American College Test (ACT), the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and the EXPLORE Test have been approved for use in the identification of gifted students in select grade levels.
Specific Academic Ability
A child shall be identified as exhibiting "Specific Academic Ability" if the child performs in the following ways:
- Scored at or above the 95th percentile on an approved individual or group administered nationally normed, standardized Achievement test in one or more of the following areas: Reading, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies
- Attained an approved score on one or more above grade-level standardized, nationally normed approved tests.
*The American College Test (ACT), the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and the EXPLORE Test have been approved for use in the identification of gifted students in select grade levels.
Creative Thinking Abilities
Identification for Creative Thinking Ability involves a two-pronged process because the student is evaluated for cognitive abilities and for creative characteristics. Evaluations of this kind can occur in conjunction with the referral/screening process for Superior Cognitive Abilities.
A child shall be identified gifted in "Creative Thinking Abilities" if the child performs in BOTH of the following ways:
- Scored at or above one standard deviation above the mean on an approved individual or group standardized intelligence test administered by a qualified professional, AND
- Exhibited sufficient performance, as established by the department of education, on an approved checklist by a trained individual of creative behaviors.
Visual and Performing Arts Ability
Section 3301-51-15 of the Ohio Administrative Code provides the following definition of "visual or performing arts ability" as the ability in areas such as drawing, painting, sculpting, music, dance, drama. A student shall be identified as exhibiting "visual or performing arts ability" superior to that of children of similar age if the student has done both of the following:
- Demonstrated through a display of work, an audition, or other performance or exhibition, a superior ability in a visual or performing arts area;
- Exhibited sufficient performance, as established by the Department of Education, on an approved checklist of behaviors related to a specific arts area.
Screening and Identification Process Overview
The screening and identification process for identifying students gifted in the visual arts includes the following components:
- Nomination of the student for screening/assessment (except when every student in a given grade will be screened)
- Evaluation of the student using an approved behavioral checklist
- An evaluation of the student's display of work/portfolio/performance using an approved scoring rubric completed by professionals in the field.
Referral Process for Gifted Testing
Currently, second and fifth graders participate in whole grade level standardized testing for science, social studies and cognitive abilities. In addition, all grades K-10 are assessed through MAP for reading and math. Any teacher, staff, parent or student may make a referral for a student to be tested for possible gifted identification.
Please see the Gifted Screening and Assessment Referral Packet.